Lilly

Lilly belongs to the communal bank “Las Mujeres Talentosas II”, in the Tarapoto district of the province and department of San Martin. She is 34, lives with a partner and has three sons. Two of her sons are in middle school and the youngest is disabled.

Lilly is a tenacious woman who makes many sacrifices; she always works thinking of the future of her sons and the need to generate her own income. Starting with capital of 300 Peruvian soles that was provided initially by her communal bank and Manuela Ramos, she decided to make popsicles from regional fruits (frozen ice treats.) She continued working and expanding her business, and now she has a sales post where she sells snacks such as juanes (a tamale-type dish that comes wrapped in a banana leaf), stuffed potatoes, cooked eggs, humitas (a corn-based dish), tamales and other dishes that are typical of the region. She works with her sister, and the dishes that they offer are very nice and are the delight of her customers.

With this new loan of 2,500 Peruvian soles, she will buy more regional fruit at wholesale, and fruit extracts to make her popsicles, and supplies such as sacks of rice, sacks of potatoes, chicken, and kitchen utensils such as frying pans, pots and plates.

Lilly is a strong woman who dreams of having an ice cream shop where she could also sell her snacks. She is very grateful to the Manuela Ramos organization for helping women like her to have opportunities for personal growth.